Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Pre-induction cervical ripening: transcervical foley catheter versus intravaginal misoprostol.
The object of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the intravaginal Misoprostol and transcervical Foley catheters as pre-induction cervical ripening agents, to estimate the proportion of patients achieving vaginal delivery and to compare the complications of labour and foetal outcome between the two groups. The study was a prospective, randomised study of pregnant women, with singleton pregnancies who presented for antenatal care and delivery at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria. Ninety-nine patients were invited to participate and ninety-six (96) agreed. ⋯ Hyperstimulation was not noticed in any of the patients in either arm of the study groups. Intravaginal Misoprostol is as effective a pre-induction cervical ripening agent as transcervical Foley catheters, with added advantages of shorter duration of cervical ripening, reduced oxytocin requirement for induction of labour and greater acceptability to patients. The incidence of caesarean sections, other labour complications and the foetal outcome were similar with both methods.
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This cross-sectional study of one thousand parturients aims to evaluate the factors, which are associated with pain perception in labour and to identify women who will benefit most from analgesia in labour. The instrument applied was a structured questionnaire incorporating the Box numerical scale (BNS) for pain assessment. Patients who delivered by elective or emergency caesarean section and women who did not give informed consent were excluded from the study. ⋯ Pain scores showed significant correlation with age (r=- 0.087, p<0.01), parity (r=- 0.226, p<0.01), gestational age at delivery (r=- 0.074, p<0.05), onset of labour (rho=0.195, p<0.01), mode of delivery (rho=0.160, p<0.01), booking status (rho=- 0.070, p<0.05) and educational status (rho=0.182, p<0.01). Certain groups of patients would benefit from obstetric analgesia. These patients include, nulliparous patients, young patients, patients who have had labour induced, those with preterm deliveries and those with an assisted vaginal delivery especially if they are well educated.
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Vaginal birth after one previous lower segment caesarean section represents one of the most significant and challenging issues in obstetric practice. A 5-year retrospective study was carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between January 1999 and December 2003, to determine the incidence, the maternal and fetal outcome following vaginal delivery after one previous caesarean section with a view to evaluating its safety and efficacy. There were 5234 deliveries, with 395 cases of one previous caesarean section, giving an incidence of 7.5%. ⋯ Vaginal delivery following caesarean section is relatively safe. However, women in developing countries will continue to require counselling to counter the myths of aversion to operative delivery even at the expense of losing their lives. Our hospitals should have adequate monitoring equipment for high-risk pregnancies so that patients and their babies can be assured of survival.